This week’s theme for Advent is hope.

Hope is a promise for the future. Faith gives us hope.  Hope for change, for something better than what’s happening now. 

During difficult times we lose hope and we despair, but God’s promises are real and will be fulfilled.

1 Peter 1:3 tells us “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

We have living hope. Hmm, I’ve never thought of hope as living before. Like an active verb instead of a noun. Hope bubbling up through our lives as we go about our holiday busyness.

There are many things we hope for during the holiday season, short lines, patience, no stress, good health, good family times, etc.

None of those seem to be living hope though. Living hope moves and breathes in and around us even as we are busy. Living hope gives life and helps us navigate through the holiday season.

Advent reminds us there is hope for the future. Hope in a Messiah. Hope for a better life and a better world.

We hope in God and his promises. We hope for a better world. We hope for glory in the next life. 

Promises to never leave us, to guide us, guard us, restore us, build us up and strengthen us, among others.

Questions to ponder:

1. What is hope?
2. Where does hope come from?
3. How can you find hope in busy times?